NATO and Russia should cooperate on European missile shield, German Foreign Minister said

July 06 2012

RBTH

Interfax

Security in Europe depends in large part on efforts of all countries, and therefore cooperation between Russia and NATO is essential, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in an interview published in the Friday issue of Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

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"I keep openly stressing time and again that security in Europe can be strengthened only through common efforts, and only together with Russia. I insist on continuing and, if possible, expanding cooperation between Russia and NATO. This concerns a common missile defense system as well," Westerwelle said.

Russia's concerns that it could be a target of NATO's missile defense system are unwarranted, Westerwelle said. "Security of Russia, Europe and the U.S. can be ensured only by joint efforts rather than against each other," he said.

The German minister pointed out that Russia and NATO are cooperating quite successfully in some areas, like in combating terrorism in Afghanistan.

Germany is actively involved in addressing issues of global security and Europe's security and intends to step up cooperation in this context, he said.